Main menu

Improvement is the new Perfection.

Post navigation

Today, I watched a video that inspired me to blog (I know, it’s been a while).

One of the things that I spend a substantial amount of time talking about with my clients is meat and why it’s important to choose quality over quantity.

I totally understand. I get it. Quality meat does cost more. When my family decided never to eat supermarket “regular” meat again, we had to eat a lot less meat all together because we really couldn’t afford to make the switch to grass-fed, locally raised beef every night. Not that you should eat beef that much anyway, but the same goes for poultry that is raised well. It’s more expensive. Honestly, what’s good for our budget has also turned out to be good for our health as well.

If you’ve never looked into the reasons and importance of meat quality, I’m going to share a video with you below. BUT first, let me just run down the basics about this topic – I promise to keep it brief but informative. I’m going to touch on beef in this blog, but it’s equally important not to eat sick poultry meat either. In respect for length of this post, we’ll only talk beef.

Beef in the USA

The United States is the leading beef producer in the world. Between 24 and 27 billion pounds of beef are produced each year in the USA. Did you get that? 24+ BILLION.

Conventional cows in the USA (so, any supermarket meat that you buy at any major supermarket chain – even those that state “all natural” on the label) are raised on feed which consists of GMO alfalfa, GMO corn, barley, wheat, protein sources (only 11% of their food) and roughage (hay) and maybe a few other added grain choices. Higher percentages of grain go to 700+ pound cattle (which is what the farmer wants).

This higher percentage of grain DOES NOT produce a leaner meat. It’s the opposite effect. Just like humans, grain consumption increases the percentage of body fat.

I want you to read this snippet that came directly from the “manual” from Penn State Ag program. I’m not picking on Penn State, there are dozens more exactly like this and chances are, your local extension has one too.

Increasing forages in the diet of feedlot cattle will generally increase the cost of weight gain (due to slower weight gain and higher carrying costs) when grain prices are reasonably low. Specific ration composition is determined by the combination of available feedstuffs that will minimize the cost of weight gain, provide a balanced diet, and reach desired endpoints for the market. This feed combination will vary as grain prices change.

Performance enhancers such as growth-stimulating implants can also be used. Research has shown that they provide the greatest return of almost any feedlot practice with complete safety to consumers. The final market for your beef and consumer acceptance, however, will dictate whether you should use performance enhancers.

As you can see here, it’s all about the cost, not about the animal or the quality of the meat.

I struck out the complete safety to consumers because it’s simply not true. But that is another blog post.

Cattle feed lots and their terrible impact on the environment is also a whole blog post in itself.

The way cattle are raised in the USA is what gives me the issue with conventional supermarket meat. They are plumped up in the fastest way possible, in absolutely miserable conditions that cause super bugs (germs), which make them use crazy amounts of antibiotics. This is not what I want to nourish my body with.

If you eat sick meat, will you be healthy?

If you eat sick meat, do you feel good about the treatment of the animal?

I’m not going to send you a video of the disgusting feed lots in this country. I am going to encourage you to watch this video (link will redirect you to TakePart.com).

It is about a family rancher in Blufton, Georgia (White Oak Pastures) and my favorite line from the short video is “you let them express instinctive behaviors” when he was talking about good parenting. He thinks of himself as the animals parent, their keeper. He is proud to offer them this environment while they are being raised to nourish us.

Dear Reader; One of my favorite recipes of all time calls for turkey. Lucky that we will all have a bit of leftover turkey this week. I make it all year long with ground turkey and it is a favorite … Continue reading →

Dear Reader; As a trainer, I see first hand the biggest problem that faces anyone embarking on a new healthy lifestyle change. It’s difficult to come up with meal ideas that are both nourishing and weight loss friendly while providing you efficient energy to … Continue reading →

Dear Reader; One of the secrets to eating well and living a healthy life as a family in this chaotic world is a prep day. It literally keeps me sane in the midst of a crazy schedule with both of us … Continue reading →

Dear Reader; This post was written for those of you who finally realized cereals are TERRIBLE for you. Enjoy the same ease, crunch, texture, satiety and portability as a box of cereal or a bar. The BIG difference is what it … Continue reading →

Dear Reader; One of the toughest times of day to come up with a healthy meal is breakfast. My clients ask me all the time for ideas of what to eat in the morning. Traditional American diets consist of waffles, donuts or … Continue reading →

Dear Reader; When it comes to food, I subscribe to the theory of real food wins. I lean more toward simple and whole and even a lot of raw. I don’t do very much processed and preserved; trying to avoid added ingredients like flavors or … Continue reading →

Dear Reader; I learned some things about eggs recently that I wish I’d realized sooner. I am no longer okay with the eggs I was totally okay with, just a week ago. So, I’m sharing this information with you. We … Continue reading →

Dear Reader; In recent years, I’ve come across blogs, diet plans, people and fitness gurus who have claimed we shouldn’t really eat bananas or at the very least, bananas are not the best choice. Like this one, and this one … Continue reading →

Post navigation

Tasha

Quick Bio

So glad you stopped by. I am a Certified Personal Trainer in the Austin, Texas area. I write this blog as a resource for my clients, but the advice here is for anyone wanting to live a healthier and more active life. For more about me, including my contact information, visit the About Tasha section.

Categories

Recent Posts

Monthly Archives

Monthly Archives

BALANCE:

My Training Philosophy:

As a trainer, I specialize in weight loss and getting to the root of the cause. The weight is a symptom of something else. With me, it's not just exercise; yes, I'm a trainer, but that's not what defines me. My goal? It's healing you from within and allowing the body to dictate the pace and the movements and knowing when it is okay to push a little.

Health is a balancing act of four major elements.

All four of the elements effect the other.

>Exercise - cardiovascular, strength training, balance, agility, endurance, and flexibility are all equally important. Being strong in one area will not serve you the way strength in all areas will. Using a variety of ways to hone these elements is the fun part and why my job is fun. Plyometrics, body weight / calisthenics, TRX or bands, lifting weight, functional movements, and HIIT are all great tools and they can all be used each and every session.

>Nutrition - the true cornerstone to any healthy lifestyle and especially weight loss. Food has to be re-defined in your life. It should become the means to nurture, protect, vitalize and cure the real you. Food comes from the earth and isn't purchased out of a container or plastic bag in the grocery store. Our food pyramid has caused sickness and dire metabolic disorders. It's time for a change. If you would like to truly be well, it begins here.

>Sleep - underestimate the importance of this piece of the pie and you will suffer physically, emotionally and mentally. Not only is it essential for the other three elements, but it is essential for the body to revitalize and repair itself. Make this the priority that it should be and you will begin to heal.

>Stress - eats our body from the inside out. When I see too much stress, I see inflammation taking over. When the body is putting out a fire constantly, it has zero energy left over for the important things. Not only will your exercise suffer because your energy is wasted elsewhere, you will make food decisions that are not healthy for you and your sleep will suffer.